Monday, November 24, 2014

This week has been great! The start of this week we went to New Hampshire, which is 3 hours from Augusta. We had a new missionary meeting, and it was so fun to see my friends from the MTC. I loved seeing the President and his wife, they are truly so AMAZING! They love and care for us all so much. Wednesday we had an amazing lesson at district meeting about being thankful, I feel so very blessed and thankful at this time of the year. I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving! We also did a lot of tracting this day, we were having no success, until our last knock of the day. It was a family with two little boys, and surprisingly they let us in! He was kind of a bible basher so it scared me a little, I just kept baring my testimony to him, and he could not believe that we as Mormons don't get paid in our callings. We taught him the restoration and he seemed pretty interested. He said we could come back under one condition which was if we brought someone who has had their life changed for the better from the gospel. So we are going to take Elliot with us, the recent convert that I told you about last week. We also have been having our ward write their testimonies down and we're going to take those with a Book Of Mormon to them. I'm so excited to see where this goes, and am praying so hard for them. We're hoping we can catch them sometime this week to give them another lesson!!

I really love having the study time for two hours each day, It's so fun, and there is always something new I learn! I don't know where I have been my whole life.. probably on instagram or something, haha but I wish I would of read more out of the Book Of Mormon, because I seriously am just realizing how wonderful of a book it is. It has brought me so much peace while I've been on my mission. I love being on a mission, it has been a good week. Church was awesome this week, I got to teach the 8 year olds about Job and about how we need to be strong and have faith in our trials. I love that I actually know the members and have friends here now in Augusta! Plus this week the heater was working so we got to stay for relief society! woot woot :)

Sister Collins and I have a lot of fun together, and learn lots together. Last night I turned breaker off when she was in the bathroom and so our whole apartment was dark. I hid behind the door and made her find me in the dark, it was really funny! I'm thankful to be out here on a mission, but i'm thankful that I get to still have fun and joke around!

For thanksgiving we are going to a members house, her kids will be at their dads so she is happy to have us over! I'm excited because she is seriously the biggest sweetheart ever. I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving! I'll be thinking and praying for you all day long! Have a good week, I'll be praying for sweet Cam to get feeling better, and for sweet Brins surgery to go well. I know this church is true, and I feel really blessed to have it in my life, I know it does bring us happiness by living it, and by serving others.

Monday, November 17, 2014

So Monday night after a good P-day, we went to a members house for dinner. She made us some really good tacos and brownies. Her husband isn't a member, and that's usually how most households we eat at are here. We eat, and share a spiritual thought and it's so great! I feel like whether those husbands are members or not, they definitely feel the spirit when we're there.

Tuesday we had a busy day! Our appointment ended up canceling because he was sick. It was with a man named Elliot Kollman. Sweetest man ever! Missionaries had been working with him since 2011, and he finally got baptized the week before I came! I have met with him twice a week ever since I got here and we have been giving him lessons. He got the priesthood this week, which he was SO excited for! The way this guy gets excited about the gospel is insane, it brightens up my day to see and teach him. He kept saying "Sister bee, pinch me so I know this is real!" haha totally the coolest person ever. He really loves his cat, and they love to cuddle up with us as we teach. I love teaching at his house because he always has a warm fire on for us and is always excited to learn more! This day we also got cornered by some Jehovah Witnesses which was actually really crazy. They parked there car and jumped out, so there was no where for us to go. Haha Within 3 minutes they had left a pretty scary message with us, and had shared 3 scriptures about Satan. Right in the middle of them talking little sister bee just jumps in and say "Sorry we have got to go, we're running late for an appointment." I know that wasn't me that blurted that out of my mouth, and I'm so glad I had someone to help give me courage to say we had to go. My companion and I just laugh at everything, it makes things better. So we laughed the rest of the night about that one, and felt very grateful for what we know and to know we all have a loving Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ by our side.

Every Wednesday we have a district meeting and coordination. This District meeting was in Damarscotta Maine. Which was so fun! All twelve of us, two other sisters and the rest were Elders bore our testimonies on the Book Of Mormon and how it has strengthened us. I felt the spirit so strong! I know its true, I really do. I know as I study it every single day, my love for it becomes stronger. It gives me so much comfort and peace. For me I think it really did have to take me going on a mission for me to gain a strong testimony of it.

Thursdays we do service at the hospital in Maine and at the literacy center. At the hospital it was just orientation this week, but was totally wicked because we get free lunch! Everyone says wicked here, its quite funny. I catch myself saying it, and just laugh. I am not turning into a Mainard! We have a new investigator, but he was sick as well this week. I've only taught him once, but I love to teach him. He doesn't know much about Jesus Christ or anything, so it's fun to see him light up when we talk about doctrine. This night we were fed by a sister. She fed us roast beef, mashed potatoes, and corn. It reminded me of home, and I ate so much. Best meal I've had so far out on the mish! Her husband is not a member either, but we connected their computer up to there t.v and watched Mormon messages. I love Mormon messages. By far the best thing. It can bring such a good feeling into the room within seconds. Everyone watch "Mountains To Climb." It is my favorite, and it touches my every time.

Friday was a harder day, we did alot of tracting in the cold. We gave out a Book Of Mormon, and had had invited 41 people to learn about this gospel this week. It did get frustrating at times, because none of them seemed to go anywhere. There are so many religions out here, and so most people say "I'm all set." That's another one they say a lot. "i'm all set" comes out of everyone's mouth at there door! Haha I was feeling frustrated and then I got a letter in the mail from Ryan. He sent a talk by Jeffery R. Holland to me, which was so perfect for that moment. It talked about when Christ came to the Americas and how he was rejected first. It hit me hard, (once again) Christ is by my side in all things. I have had to lean on the savior a lot, and i'm so thankful for the lessons I've already learned out here! I'm so so thankful for our Savior and what he's done for us! Thank you Ryan for sending me that talk, with your testimony.

Skipping Saturday cause I'm short on time and have to tell you about my eventful Sunday! So we only had sacrament yesterday. The rest was canceled because it was so cold, and the boiler was broke. We were all sitting in sacrament with our winter gear. It was quite hilarious actually! After sacrament meeting I looked up and saw a less active member named Naomi. Sister Collins and I had ran into her twice this week and had shown her tons and tons of love. We ran into her on a random street and at the grocery store. The second she saw me she came running up and gave me the biggest hug! This Lady hadn't been to church in over a year. By far this was the best moment of my mission to see her at church. She is the sweetest lady, and loves to talk my little ear off. She has such a light about her that I just love. Yes she has her marriage problems, and her addictions which I think is what keeps her away from coming. But I was so happy to see her there yesterday!! I also found the lady that works llbean, and she said she would return them for me and get me a new size. I really liked this lady too, so kind to me. The ward really is amazing, and I feel very blessed to be able to get know all of these people. We also had a referral to go and visit this women yesterday. When we knocked on her door, we told her "We are the sister missionaries and were from The Church Of Jesus Christ, we thought you might like a visit today." This women started to bawl, she just kept saying how grateful she was that we were there. She started to cry so hard she couldn't talk and told us to come back later. What a cool moment that was. It really is the small and simple things that can truly change people and make their day. Its moments like that where I love being here. I truly love being a missionary, and I'm very thankful for this opportunity. I know even when were at home by smiling and saying hi to random people can make a difference, you never know what people are going through. By small and simple things, are great things brought to pass.

Have a good week family and friends! I love and miss you lots. Keep me updated! The Church is true!! Sorry I don't have time to reread what I have typed, so please forgive the bad grammar and misspelled words. I don't have the best grammar in the first place, so it might be a train wreck this week. lol, but just know The Church is True, and that Your Heavenly Father loves you way more than we could understand.

Sister Bee

(Taylie also messaged and said they are heading to Manchester today which is 3 hours away for a new missionary meeting. They also have a member that gives them free Subway for lunch, and they were excited to go and eat there today too!)

Monday, November 10, 2014

How are you all?? Thank you so much for the emails, they truly made my day!! I'm serving in Augusta Maine right now! What a week.. haha thats all I can say, really! I have never had feelings like this in my entire life. All I can say is God is good and that homesickness is real. I've learned lessons this week that I will hold dear to my heart forever, and I hope to never forget. I wish I had more time to email you all what has been happening but I don't.

Augusta, Maine, is very very different from Utah. I think I figured out my plan after the mish is definitely living in Utah and close to the fam! My companion is name Sister Collins, and she is from Utah as well. Our plan is to change Augusta forever!! This area I'm in right now has my companion at I, and 4 more Elders in the ward. Its called the seed planting mission, where we hopefully can plant seeds of faith. The people are different here, most don't know what LDS missionaries are. We get called nuns alot or Jehovah Witnesses. Haha which is weird.. after they slam the door I just want to yell at them, and tell them that "I'm normal and have an amazing message to share with you!" Our ward is small, but great! The members are really good to us. We've had a few dinners with them which is awesome. Almost every house we go into have animals, mostly cats though.(It's a good thing Chel Rudd didn't come on this mission or they'd have to send her home for all her cat killing. Haha) Its really kinda gross, It was not my favorite thing to pull out a long black hair out of my corn bread this week, I'm just hoping it was the lady that fed us hair, and not her cats. Don't get me wrong though, I feel very blessed though to be serving in a place where there is normal food! The ward members have to really fight for there testimonies out here because there are so many people that aren't of any faith. I have heard some of the strongest testimonies since I've been here. The normal wear out here to church is some sweat pants, and crocs, lol.. I feel a little over dressed... but talk about great people!! Sorry this email is all over the place, so much to say and such little time.

Since I've got here I've been praying to Heavenly Father to help me see why I am here, and to show me my purpose. I have never had to pray so much in my life. I'm very thankful to be able to be out here and gain a stronger and closer relationship with God. This Saturday the missionaries were asked to help at this memorial service at the church. These people were all non members and knew nothing about the church. It was really neat for them to be at the church and to see what one looked like! Most of them had some pretty wicked dreads.. So mom don't be surprised if I come back in 1.5 with some new dreads.. ;) Anyways the moment I saw these people I absolutely fell in love with them. This guy died unexpectedly and it really surprised everyone there. My heart seriously broke for each one of them because they don't know what I know, that there is life after death. It was so sad to hug them and try to give them hope that everything will be alright. That's when my purpose hit me, I Sister Bee am here to give people hope and to let them know what we know. A mission is hard, very hard, I have to pray for strength everyday to endure it, but all is well cause the Lord is on my side. I Taylie could not do this alone, but with Heavenly Father by your side, I know we can do anything. I bawled through the whole funeral, and I was so confused why? I didn't really know the people there, or the guy that passed. But then it hit me, I'm a representative of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ mourns with us when we're sad, he truly knows how we feel and what we're going through. I'm thankful that Christ showed me just a little way at that funeral of how he feels for us. I then noticed that when I was going through some of the hardest things I had ever gone through at the first of the week, that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father were by my side. I know they are by us all, they're there to comfort us, and to make things better. He will help us and help us get through hard things. I wouldn't have made it through this week with out Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that they want to be with us at all times because they care for us. All we have to do is pray and ask.

I'm so happy to be out here! Things are good! Of course I miss you all so very much.. but we'll see each other soon! Have a good week and please keep me updated, I loved hearing from everyone. I know this church is true, and I'm thankful for this opportunity I have to be out here on a mission. I Know that Heavenly Father is there for you at all times, He loves us more than you know! Anddd I love you more than you know!! Have a good week.

-Sister Bee

The Sisters and Taylie who shared a room at the MTC. She said they all grew close and it was hard to say goodbye!

Winter and Fall in Maine! She will be putting her coat and boots to good use this freezing Winter.

Hey family!! I'm here in New Hampshire!! I can't contain myself.. It is too beautiful here!! Like I can't even explain it. It's been such a great night. After We landed in Detroit we flew to Manchester. Once we got to Manchester our Mission President and his wife we're there and we are at their house now. Its a pretty house.. I want you to see it so bad, so hopefully I can email you some pictures next week! We had such a yummy soup dinner, and are sleeping here tonight. I'll meet my trainer tomorrow and find out where I'm going. There are still gorgeous leafs here, but I guess it snowed a lot in Maine today. So I guess I'll see where I serve for a few months tomorrow! I'm so happy, really just happy to be here. Don't worry bout me, and I won't worry about you guys to much ;) I'm feeling very very blessed to be here in this mission right now, so far it seems so wonderful. Have a good week and I'll be able to email you next week on my p-day. Thanks for everything! Love you guys so much. Have a wonderful week.

Thank you SOOOO much for the package and the letter from dear elder. You guys are seriously the best!!

Oh how I've paitently been waiting all week to write you guys!! How are you all?? I miss you all so much already, but things are seriously so good here at the MTC.

Tomorrow will be the one week down mark! Haha not going to lie, the first 4 days were a little hard, it was a big adjustment for me to get in the swing of things. It was weird getting used to being in a classroom all day. We start our days at 6, which is absolutely GREAT! You all know how much I just love mornings. Really its not that bad though, everyone around me is up and going anyways, its just sad when you look outside and its still pitch black. We eat three meals a day at the cafeteria, which is also weird, you know our family one big meal a day and we're set! ;) Good food tho, plus they have ice cream sandwiches for desert which is very very great, but could also lead to being very very bad. I share a room with 5 other girls and we use like the community bathrooms which was hard at first with all the sisters. Two of the girls in my room have had like strep, and one has had a really bad cold this week, so i'm praying I don't get sick!! The girls and I are all completely different in every which way, but we get along good! My companion sister Daughty, she is from North Carolina, and had been living in Magna this past year. We get along way good! Really quiet and i'm like not, but shes opened up alot, and i'm so proud of her! She is a sweetheart and I learn from her testimony. Hopefully I can send you some pictures later of all the girls and my companion. In my class all the girls are going to New Hampshire and all the boys are going to India. I have met some of the most amazing Elders and Sisters.

I have the most awesome teachers in the world, I have learned so much. Seriously they cram so much info in and i'm trying to keep up. I love to learn about the gospel though. I really do love it with all my heart. The spirit at the MTC, is so strong. My companion gave a talk the other day and it was on how we feel the spirit. She said in her talk, "the spirit is when you cry after sending your first email home because you miss your family, but can only talk about all the good things at the MTC, cough cough Sister Bee!' So true I cry like all the time, i'm seriously like crazy haha. I cry when i'm happy, I cry when I miss you guys, and I cry when I laugh. It was hard at first because none of the girls in my room and class missed there family quite like me, they have all been to college or doing other things with there life, or had a not so good home situation. So no one could really relate. It made feel extra blessed to have a family as great as mine, i'm so lucky to have something that made saying goodbye so hard. We stay so busy here that really my mind is on the gospel and what were learning, so dont worry about me! We have personal study time, to which is good cause you can kinda study whatever and take a break from things.

We have gym time at night which rocks my socks.. I have forgot how much I really do love basketball and volleyball! We got to go to the temple this morning and do a session which was way cool. Oh and Sundays are like heaven on earth here, i'm sad i'll only be here for one more Sunday.

I'm so thankful for this gospel and I really couldn't imagine being anywhere else. I fly out next Monday to New Hampshire. I was assigned the Travel leader from the president which is a little stressful cause there are 15 of us flying to New Hampshire that day!! Way cool huh, thats alot of people going there to serve!! it's fun and all here, but i'm excited to get where i'm teaching and not living out of a suitcase! I kinda feel like were in a prison here, but in a good way! We're like locked in, probably smart so I don't run home ;) haha

Oh and everything has been way good, except for the first day I cut myself shaving and totally thought somebody had stole my bag with all of my stuff in it. No bags are aloud in the cafeteria and so I just left it out in the hall way and when I went to get it was gone... but somebody took it all the way to the front desk cause they thought it was a lost bag... haha kinda scared me, but I guess the good thing about the MTC is I dont think anyone would steal your scriptures.

I love you all more then anything!! I know this Church is true. I feel so blessed for this opportunity that I get to get to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I've been trying SO hard this week to see everyone around me a Jesus Christ would, and it has made the biggest impact on me. I know Heavenly father loves all of his children. His love is so perfect, and we are always worthy of it! I'm so thankful for the atonement and to know Jesus Christ has felt everything I have felt this week. We are so blessed to have this gospel, and such a great plan for all of us. I know this Church is true, no doubt about it;)

Have a WONDERFULLLLLLL week and i'll be emailing you next week in New Hampshire!! Thanks for all you do. Give Cam and Brin huge kisses from me.Give yourself a big hug from me. Hope you guys are doing good! Would love to hear whats going on!!

[Taylie's first ever email! We were so excited to hear from her in the MTC!]

OCTOBER 23

Oh my goodness, I have so much to tell you but so short of time. Its so busy, we honestly don't stop from 6 in the morning, till 10:30 at night. (that is if you can fall asleep) haha. My P-day is Tuesday, so I will be writing you guys more that day. We just got permission from our mission president that we could email you guys and tell you we are here and safe. Not going to lie, it is so much harder then I ever thought it would be, but I love it. I really do, it is like this roller coaster of emotions, so many ups and downs. Honestly I have never felt the spirit so strong in my entire life, and all day long. Within 30 minutes after that horrible goodbye, I knew everything was going to be alright, and all is well. I pray for you guys, and miss you lots! Go to dearelder.com and write me an email, they print it off and and get it to me the day you write it. So that would be great to hear how you guys are doing!! LOVE YOU LOTS. i'm great, its seriously such an amazing experience so far, and I already have learned so much. I LOVE YOU GUYS.. lots of love, Sister Bee :)